The National Women's Health Information Center offers the following 10 things you can do to help live longer, live better, and live happier:
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Be informed. Learn about health promotion and disease prevention and ask your physician for specific information regarding your needs.
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Be good to your bones. For healthy bones, be sure to replenish your stock of calcium every day with plenty of foods such as milk and other dairy products, tofu, leafy green vegetables, canned salmon or sardines, and calcium-fortified juices or breads. Speak with your physician about calcium supplements.
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Avoid illegal drugs and alcohol. For women, the definition of moderate drinking stops at one drink a day. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines a drink as one 5-ounce glass of wine, one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits. Remember that the alcohol content of each type of drink can vary widely. Where illicit drugs are concerned, there is no such thing as "moderate" use.
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Take medicine wisely. Read the labels, follow the instructions carefully, and remind your doctor or pharmacist about any other medicines or supplements you might be taking that could interact with your medication. For your safety - to lower your risk for adverse side effects or medication interactions, for instance - you should also let your doctor know if you use any illicit or "recreational" drugs. If you have any questions about possible side effects, call your doctor or pharmacist.
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Play it safe. Avoid injuries. Buckle up. Wear a bike helmet. Use smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Wear sunscreen and UV protected sunglasses. Use street smarts and common sense.
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Get checked. Get regular checkups, preventive examinations, and immunizations. Do not forget self-examinations, too.
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Don't smoke. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in our country.
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Eat smart. It is the secret to good health. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Enjoy a variety of foods, balance foods from each food group, and exercise moderation.
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Get moving. The other secret to good health: just 30 minutes of physical activity, accumulated over the course of each day, can radically improve the way you look and feel, both physically and mentally.
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Be happy. Take time for yourself. Get connected with family, friends, and community. Do things you enjoy!
These charts provide general healthcare guidelines for women, but are not meant to replace any advice and guidance given by your physician. Please use them as a reminder to take care of your personal healthcare needs, and also as a list of topics you may want to discuss with your physician.
* The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women have their first Pap test at age 21. Women ages 21-29 should have a Pap test every 2 years. Women 30 and older who have had three consecutive negative Pap Tests may be screened every 3 years if they don't have HIV, moderate or severe dysplasia, or a weakened immune system. It's reasonable to discontinue screening after three or more consecutive negative Pap tests and no abnormal results within the last 10 years once a woman turns 65 or 70, unless she has specific risk factors.